Somebody's Son

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Oct. 25, 2011) Musician 1st Class Chris Sams of the U.S. 7th Fleet Band, Orient Express, performs for students during a master class at Wat Koh High School. The band is visiting Cambodia as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2011. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Musician 3rd Class Joshua Haney/Released)
Source: http://www.militaryphotos.net/
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(Linking to Airman's Mom's Friday post )

Friday posts are random photos of our Soldiers.
We must remember each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine have a face.
Our brave Heroes have familiy and friends who love them so.

Wednesday Hero

Sgt. James Hinson


Sgt. James Hinson, Marine Barracks Washington motor transportation operator, prepares a dish for a homeless person during a So Others Might Eat volunteer event in northwest Washington, D.C., Oct. 20, 2011. Fifteen Barracks Marines volunteered to assist the SOME staff in feeding homeless men and women from the nation's capitol region.
  These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero. Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look
 This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.    

October 26, Day of the Deployed

Soldiers Angels Day of the Deployed

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES


October 17, 2011

Mr. HOEVEN (for himself, Mr. CONRAD, Mr. ROBERTS, Mr. SESSIONS, Mr. ISAKSON, Mr. BLUNT, and Mr. BOOZMAN) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to
________________________________________

RESOLUTION
Designating October 26, 2011, as `Day of the Deployed'.





Whereas more than 2,270,000 people serve as members of the United States Armed Forces;



Whereas several hundred thousand members of the Armed Forces rotate each year through deployments to 150 countries in every region of the world;



Whereas more than 2,300,000 members of the Armed Forces have deployed to the area of operations of the United States Central Command since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks;



Whereas the United States is kept strong and free by the loyal military personnel who protect our precious heritage through their positive declaration and actions;



Whereas members of the Armed Forces serving at home and abroad have courageously answered the call to duty to defend the ideals of the United States and to preserve peace and freedom around the world;



Whereas members of the Armed Forces personify the virtues of patriotism, service, duty, courage, and sacrifice;



Whereas the families of members of the Armed Forces make important and significant sacrifices for the United States;



Whereas North Dakota began honoring the members of the Armed Forces and their families by designating October 26 as `Day of the Deployed' in 2006 ; and



Whereas 40 States designated October 26, 2010, as `Day of the Deployed': Now, therefore, be it



Resolved, That the Senate--



(1) honors the members of the United States Armed Forces who are deployed;



(2) calls on the people of the United States to reflect on the service of those members of the United States Armed Forces, wherever they serve, past, present, and future;



(3) designates October 26, 2011, as `Day of the Deployed'; and



(4) encourages the people of the United States to observe `Day of the Deployed' with appropriate ceremonies and activities

_________________________________

Today is a day to honor our servicemen and women who are deployed.

Wednesday Hero

Lt.Richard Biedermann (Ret.)
89 years old from Tulsa, Oklahoma
May 28, 1922 - October 3, 2011


When Dick Biedermann asked the organizing committee of the Oklahoma Honor Flights how much more was needed to be raised he was told $10,000. His response was "Piece of cake. I can raise that". And in only four weeks he did just that. In fact, he raised $16,000 and in doing so was able to help send 105 of his fellow WWII veterans to D.C. to see the national WWII Memorial back in February of this year. He was scheduled to go with them but he had taken a fall the week before and was unable to go. But this was nothing new for the retired Naval Lieutenant. He was always helping others. The Ronald McDonald House, the United Way, the Tulsa Chapter of Alzheimer’s Association and so on. He saw it as his mission.

Sadly, Richard (Dick) Biedermann passed away on October 3 after a long battle with heart disease. He was buried on October 6 with full military honors by the VFW and Patriot Guard Riders.

You can read more about Dick Biedermann here and view his obituary here.


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

This and That..

just a couple of random things I found interesting to pass on...on Facebook, I used the 'recommend' or 'like' button for these stories, but not everyone is on Facebook , so I wanted to be sure to pass these on

from fayobserver.com, Virginia to Honor Army Chaplain killed in 1918

recently, our local paper did a story about the replacement of a headstone for a local Revolutionary War soldier, in that story, though, they mentioned the amazing story of one of his grandsons(I think?), who served in the Civil War....I found a link on Find-A-Grave for Capt John H. Rolston  go read the amazing story of how he returned home 2 days before his funeral was scheduled..wish I was a writer, there's definitely a good story in here, I think!! can you imagine the Rejoicing that must've gone on?? talk about Lazarus!

and lastly, the DC World War I Memorial restoration is nearly complete, you can go see more about this HERE 

thanks for stopping by to read :)

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Cindy


Capt. Theodore "Ted" Williams (Center)
83 years old from Inverness, Florida
VMF-311, Marine Aircraft Group 33 (MAG-33)
August 30, 1918 - July 5, 2002


Everyone knows Ted Williams as one of the greatest Baseball players of all time, but many may not know that he also served his country during W.W.II and Korea. Williams joined the V-5 program to became a Naval aviator after enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1942. He received his pilots wings two years later in 1944. He never saw action as Japan surrendered as he was in Pearl Harbor awaiting orders. He did, however, in the Marine Forces Reserves and was later recalled in to active duty during the Korean War. He flew 39 combat missions before being hospitalized with pneumonia which resulted in the discovery of an inner ear infection that ultimately disqualified him from flight status.

You Can Read More About Williams here and here



These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Think Christmas:)

Aunty Brat  posts the Christmas 2011 Military Mailing deadlines

and Off the Base passes on the word about Military Family Ministries 'Stockings for the Troops'

Operation Christmas Cards has their info Here on how to send cards to the Troops

Soldiers Angels has 6 Months of Christmas-Cards & Letters  and
the Holiday Card Project 2011

and Wreaths Across America Day will be Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011

and, of course, please don't forget the Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes program, to send cards to recovering wounded soldiers.

Spread the word, won't you?  and if I've missed posting something here, or you wish to pass on about any other Christmas/Holiday programs to support the troops? please leave a comment or send me an email .

Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Steve


F/O Leland H. Pennington
24 years old from Alma Place, New York
332nd Fighter Group
1921 - April 21, 1945


Sadly, little is know about Flight Officer Leland Pennington's military career. He joined the Military sometime in 1941 or 1942. He became one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. Then in 1945, after a bombing run on the Attnang-Puchheim marshalling yard in Austria, F/O Pennington was lost after completing a successful escort mission.

You can read more about F/O Pennington here and here


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

  

Surfing the Web..

my dear faithful readers..my apologies for the long stretches without posting on the blog lately, I'm continuing to recover well from my recent surgery, but don't always find it comfortable to sit for long stretches at the computer (plus I've been having some computer 'issues' off and on,sigh)...at any rate, just before my surgery got moved up two weeks earlier than originally scheduled, I had bookmarked a few things to pass along in a 'Surfing' post, and I'm just now getting to finally passing them on to you. Thank you, for continuing to check in here, and...enjoy the 'surf'!

via The Seattle Times  I came across Help Bring Leonidas Home from Afghanistan
and you might also wish to check out The Puppy Rescue Mission

from The New York Times Lens blog, a powerful, powerful story
Joao Silva:"This is what I do, this is all I know"

via PRI's The World  I found the website for a new documentary  Where Soldiers come From  that follows a group of young men from Michigan who joined the National Guard together and were deployed..the film follows them for 2 years, including after they come home.

speaking of documentaries, The Kitchen Dispatch passes on the word that
Restrepo Wins the Emmy

A gem of a blog that I've been following for awhile, Marion's Meepings
has a post up celebrating  Pax's 200th Blog Post and a prize  go check it out, she's offering a lovely prize and the contest is open till Oct.8th!

Airman Mom has a son who will be deploying soon, please stop by and offer words of support

JP over at Milblogging.com posted the word about Warbird Doctor Military Blog from A-stan
a new 'must-read' blog to follow

via Missouri Soldiers' Angels  I was alerted to Operation Walk USA


lastly, via ABC News Ft. Hood Shooter's Cousin Speaks Out against Violent Extremism 
and here is the website for The Nawal Foundation

That's the 'surf'..until next time!

Somebody's Daughter

Byrnes Michelle, a US army soldier from te HHB 3-7 Field Artillery Regiment 3rd Bct 25th ID, scans the eyes of an Afghan man with an Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) during a mission in Turkham Nangarhar bordering Pakistan on September 28, 2011. Turkham is a border crossing town in the Nangarhar province of Afghanistan and the Khyber Agency of Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas. A decade of fighting in Afghanistan has since snowballed into a huge effort involving around 130,000 foreign troops from dozens of countries, with the resilient Taliban using homemade bombs and guerrilla tactics in a bid to undermine the Afghan government and the NATO mission.


source: militaryphotos.net

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Friday posts are random photos of our Soldiers.
We must remember each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine have a face.
Our brave Heroes have familiy and friends who love them so.

(linking to Airman Mom's Somebody's Daughter )

Wednesday Hero

Thanks to Greta Perry & John Donovan




Second Lt. Perla Kimes


Second Lt. Perla Kimes has her bars of gold pinned on during a commissioning ceremony this summer at the Leader Development and Assessment Course on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.

Photo Courtesy U.S. Army


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

  

Somebody's Son

(missed linking to these posts while I've been home recovering from surgery, so am catching up now)
Sept. 16

Sgt. Ricardo Ramirez, a combat replacement for 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, wades through an irrigation canal to move into a night observation post in Sangin, Afghanistan, Aug. 5. In February of 2006, Ramirez was wounded in action while serving in Iraq with 3rd Bn., 5th Marines and two years later became the first hand-amputee to re-enlist in the Marines Corps. Since then the multiple-tour combat veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan has served as an urban warfare instructor, attended the pre-sniper course at division schools and stayed close to his infantry roots. Photo by Cpl. Benjamin Crilly


source: http://www.strategypage.com/

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Sept.23

SGT. CALVIN NASH WAITS FOR THE DUST TO CLEAR - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Calvin Nash waits for the dust to clear after a controlled detonation during a patrol in Sangin, Afghanistan, on Sept. 8, 2011. The Marines are using the explosives to destroy abandoned compounds that block views from security posts. Nash is a squad leader with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8. DoD photo by Cpl. Nathan McCord, U.S. Marine Corps.

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Friday posts are random photos of our Soldiers.

We must remember each and every Airman, Soldier, Sailor and Marine have a face.

Our brave Heroes have familiy and friends who love them so.
 
 

Gold Star Mother's Sunday

Today is Gold Star Mother's Sunday   The United States began observing the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother's Day in 1936

Thoughts and prayers are  with all the Gold Star Mothers and Gold Star families, today, and every day.

Wednesday Hero

Sgt. Dakota Meyer


23 years old from Greensburg, Kentucky

Embedded Training Team 2-8





On September 15, Sgt. Dakota Meyer was awarded the Medal Of Honor by President Obama for his actions on Sept. 8, 2009 in the Ganjgal Valley of Afghanistan when he and Staff Sgt. Juan Rodriguez-Chavez saved 36 fellow Marines when they, and the Afghan military members they were helping to train, came under attack by Taliban insurgents.



His citation reads: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the repeated risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as a member of Marine Embedded Training Team 2-8, Regional Corps Advisory Command 3-7, in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, on 8 September 2009. When the forward element of his combat team began to be hit by intense fire from roughly 50 Taliban insurgents dug-in and concealed on the slopes above Ganjgal village, Corporal Meyer mounted a gun-truck, enlisted a fellow Marine to drive, and raced to attack the ambushers and aid the trapped Marines and Afghan soldiers. During a six hour fire fight, Corporal Meyer single-handedly turned the tide of the battle, saved 36 Marines and soldiers and recovered the bodies of his fallen brothers. Four separate times he fought the kilometer up into the heart of a deadly U-shaped ambush. During the fight he killed at least eight Taliban, personally evacuated 12 friendly wounded, and provided cover for another 24 Marines and soldiers to escape likely death at the hands of a numerically superior and determined foe. On his first foray his lone vehicle drew machine gun, mortar, rocket grenade and small arms fire while he rescued five wounded soldiers. His second attack disrupted the enemy’s ambush and he evacuated four more wounded Marines. Switching to another gun-truck because his was too damaged they again sped in for a third time, and as turret gunner killed several Taliban attackers at point blank range and suppressed enemy fire so 24 Marines and soldiers could break-out. Despite being wounded, he made a fourth attack with three others to search for missing team members. Nearly surrounded and under heavy fire he dismounted the vehicle and searched house to house to recover the bodies of his fallen team members. By his extraordinary heroism, presence of mind amidst chaos and death, and unselfish devotion to his comrades in the face of great danger, Corporal Meyer reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."



In addition to the Medal Of Honor, Sgt. Meyer has also been awarded the Expert Marksmanship Badge for Rifle and Pistol, Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal w/ Valor Device and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.



You can read more about Sgt. Dakota Meyer and his actions here.


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.
Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look



This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Books to add to my wishlist

What It Is Like to Go To War by Karl Marlantes


Unmeasured Strength by Lauren Manning


Once A Marine by Nick Popaditch with Mike Steere

Wednesday Hero

Seaman Sha'Quanda Jacobs


Religious Programs Specialist Seaman Sha'Quanda Jacobs rings the bell during commemoration ceremony of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States at Naval Air Station Oceana.

Photo Courtesy U.S. Navy Taken by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Terah L. Mollise


These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives just so others may get to enjoy freedom. For that I am proud to call them Hero.

Those Who Say That We're In A Time When There Are No Heroes, They Just Don't Know Where To Look

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Why I love the Internet :)

(cross-posted from my  Family blog  )

I'm going to be having some surgery this coming Friday the 16th, and as I emailed people today to start letting them know that I'd probably be incommunicado online for awhile....I was overwhelmed with the responses coming back saying 'we'll be praying for you", "you'll be in our thoughts", "wishing you a speedy recovery"




I know I Shouldn't have been overwhelmed, as some of these people I've 'known' online for 6 years or longer, some I've met in person even :) and I know a great many of them are 'praying' folks, and compassionate and supportive folks.



But I can't tell you how much of a relief it felt, to know that I'll be surrounded by such a 'net' of prayers and good wishes..my surgery was originally scheduled for the 29th, but because of some problems that arose with me the past few days, it got bumped up to this Friday. still a little startled by that, the doc gives you a surgery date and you plan a lot of things around that date..like I had really wanted to tell the residents on my floor that I'd be going out for a month or more of recovery after my surgery..these are folks that I care for, along with a great team of co-workers, to (I hope) the best of my ability 40 hours or more every week, and I also care About each and every one of them,too, and also care about my coworkers. I know that so many of my residents were like 'we missed you!' when I was gone for a week's vacation on the camping trip in July..

and so I just wanted to extend them that courtesy and reassurance 'hey, I'll be gone for some surgery and recovery,I'll miss you guys, but I'll be back"...



but instead, I ended up leaving work kind of quickly yesterday, and barely had a chance to say anything to Anyone..and then came to the realization today after talking to my doctor again that I wouldn't be able to make it back in to work again before the surgery on Friday.



so, that's that. Life just happens like that sometimes, and your plans get changed suddenly... I actually think I will feel So much better After this surgery is behind me..... but it lifted my spirits so much, to know that so many caring friends and family will be keeping me in their thoughts and prayers!



Thanks, everyone :) hugs and love and hope to be back soon! :)
 

2996--Remembering--Adel Agayby Zakhary

 Adel Agayby Zakhary, 50, worked as an accountant for Carr Futures in the north tower of the World Trade Center.

Zakhary was born into a Christian family in Cairo, Egypt and emigrated to the United States in the mid-1980s with his wife, Nagat, and son,George, to escape violence against Coptic Christians.

In North Arlington, N.J., the Zakharys centered their lives on St. Mark's and St. Anthony's Church. Mr. Zakhary studied the Bible, the lives of the saints and books by Bishop David, a friend and church leader.

At home, Zakhary was a true patriarch. He cooked and cleaned, and he transported his children to and fro.

Adel Zakhary would always have dinner ready for his two children,son George and daughter Mariam, when they got home. "He loved to cook," said  George."Cheesecake with strawberries," and "Chicken cordon bleu."  His cheesecake-it's a bit of a family legend. Nephews refuse to eat any other New York-style cheesecake-to this day-after having Zakhary's. Others just don't compare, family members say.

The elder Zakhary,  was able to take care of dinner because for nearly 15 years, he worked nights at the World Trade Center as an accountant for Dean Whitter. He worked night shifts so he could spend more time with his family. His children wondered when he ever found time to sleep. He was a bit of a superman in that sense-he did it all and never tired.

About four months before Sept.11,2001, Adel's schedule changed to daytime hours when he became an employee of Carr Futures following mergers. He was not terribly happy about the change.
 Mr. Zakhary had a sharp side. "He was sarcastic to the point you couldn't tell if he was serious," George said.

But his sister-in-law remembers,"He was always laughing and smiling,"

On Sept. 11, he was on the 92nd floor when the first plane struck. He was on the phone with his wife and then: chaos. They were never able to connect on the phone again.

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I found it so terribly sad, that Mr. Zakhary had left his homeland to escape violence, and it seems that the violence still found him ,17 years after he came to the USA.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends who are missing him today, and every day, and I feel blessed to have had the privilege of learning a bit about him in preparing this tribute.

Sources:
 Adel Zakhary,North Arlington  NorthJersey.com

In memoriam: Adel Agayby Zakhary  NorthJersey.com

Remember September 11,2001  Adel Agayby Zakhary

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Mr. Zakhary's Legacy.com Guestbook is  HERE




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This post is part of  Project 2996

May We Never Forget.

Our Friday night..

standing with the Patriot Guard Riders to support a local Gold Star family as a
Local Fallen Soldier's Name added to Veterans Memorial~WHSV TV 3

it was moving and powerful, to hear his father's speech..and as always, the haunting sound of Taps brought tears to my eyes.

Remembering..

Over at Hooah Wife & Friends, the remembrance posts for
September 9  and  September 10

and my 2010 post for Project 2996  honoring Hemanth Kumar Puttur